Without a phone number, Joe had made sure to wait in the first row at the arrivals gate to avoid missing her.
Tara’s eyes instantly filled with tears the moment she spotted him.
“Dad!”
“Hey, my sweet girl!” Joe greeted her with a warm, loving smile, though his concern and worry were hard to miss.
After everything she had been through, he couldn’t imagine the emotional toll it had taken on
her.
Tara quickly ran out from behind the barricade, like a bird returning to its nest, and threw herself into his arms.
“Dad!”
Joe wrapped her tightly in his arms, holding his child who had braved so many storms. There, there. Don’t feel upset anymore. Dad’s here now.”
Tara’s heart ached with overwhelming emotion, and she wanted to cry again.
But this was the airport, and the curious stares from passersby reminded her to hold it together.
Suppressing her emotions, she said, “Dad, I want to introduce you to someone…”
She turned to look for the mixed–heritage man, but amid the bustling crowd, he was nowhere
to be seen.
Joe asked, “What’s wrong?”
Tara turned back, shaking her head. “Nothing. Let’s head home.”
Since the man had left, she decided against sharing her embarrassing and difficult experiences with her father.
Joe didn’t press further. “Alright, let’s go see your mom.”
Joe’s assistant took care of her luggage while Tara clung to his arm as they walked toward the airport exit.
She noticed the streaks of white in his hair and felt a pang of sadness.
“Dad,” she began softly, “it’s been so many years since Mom passed. If you wanted to remarry, it would be completely understandable. My brother and I wouldn’t oppose it.” Joe’s eyes reddened slightly. “My thoughtful girl, you’ve grown up so much.
“But remarrying comes with complications, especially concerning inheritance. I don’t lack companionship, and a bit of money can settle things. There’s no need to bring unnecessary
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Chapter 18
trouble into your and your brother’s lives.”
Tara blinked, speechless for a moment.
Men!
If it had been any other man, she would have called him a scumbag. But since it was her father, somehow it made perfect sense. How was that fair?
Joe patted her hand reassuringly. “Your brother’s busy preparing the estate for your wedding. Tomorrow, we’ll go check it out together. Your fiancé will be there, too.”
Tara obediently replied, “Alright,” though unease stirred within her.
She never thought an arranged marriage, decided without her input, would happen to her.
What kind of future awaited her?
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